Benjamin Netanyahu: Israel must be 'master of its fate'

In a meeting with US president, Barack Obama, the Israeli prime minister
stressed that Israel would be the "master of its fate" in deciding how to
deal with Iran, which has called for the destruction of the Jewish state.

7:34PM GMT 05 Mar 2012

The two leaders met on Monday for talks at the White House to find a common stance towards Iran's nuclear enrichment programme and alleged plan to develop a nuclear weapon.

"Israel must have the ability always to defend itself by itself against any threat," Mr Netanyahu said. "When it comes to Israel's security, Israel has the right, the sovereign right, to make its own decisions".

Mr Obama has been urging Israel to allow deep sanctions more time to work against Iran's nuclear ambitions while balancing that with assurances of his resolve to do whatever is necessary to keep the Islamic republic from becoming a nuclear-armed state. But the Israeli prime minister stressed that his country would remain "master of its fate," in the face of a future nuclear threat from Iran.

At the White House meeting, President Obama told Mr Netanyahu the United States reserved "all options" in dealing with Iran. The president has made clear that would include a possible military component.

Israeli officials have indicated they may strike this year unless the US threatens action to prevent Tehran having the capability to develop a weapon, rather than waiting for signs that development has begun.